NBA Playoffs Schedule 2013: Key Dates and Predictions for Each Round

After a long NBA regular season, we are finally approaching the 2013 playoffs.

The fun has really just begun for this league, as seeding only goes so far in the NBA postseason. Whichever team plays the best from here on out will be the champion, regardless of what number is next to its name.

Compared to other years, the top seeds in these playoffs should be on alert from the start as there are some talented squads ready to challenge in the first round.

Here are predictions for each round, along with key dates to remember courtesy of NBA.com.

First Round: Starts on April 20

In the Eastern Conference, there is a large gap in talent between the top teams in the conference and the bottom. That is never more obvious than the upcoming series between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, which will be over in a hurry.

Two matchups that will be bigger for fans than the players are the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics, and the Indiana Pacers battling the Chicago Bulls.

The lower seeds (Celtics and Bulls) have a lot of playoff experience and have the fight to pull off an upset, but injuries have derailed the season, and they will lose early. 

In the final series, the Atlanta Hawks will win a few games, but they do not play well enough on the road to beat the Brooklyn Nets.

Fortunately, the Western Conference has the ability to feature a few first-round upsets. One possible example is if the Houston Rockets earn the No. 6 seed to face No. 3 Denver Nuggets. With two of the highest-scoring teams in the league, the Rockets can make their shots and move on to the second round.

The Memphis Grizzlies will also play the Los Angeles Clippers tough, but they do not score enough points to advance in the postseason.

In addition, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs should take care of business in the first round. Many believe the Los Angeles Lakers will pose a threat, but even if they make the playoffs, beating the top seed without Kobe Bryant is nearly impossible.

Advancing Teams: Heat, Knicks, Pacers, Nets; Thunder, Spurs, Rockets, Clippers

Conference Semifinals: Starts on May 7

This is where things pick up in the East, as the Nets could pose a legitimate threat to the Heat. Brook Lopez has a chance to be a force inside and have a huge series, but LeBron James is simply too good to let his team lose this early.

Similarly, Carmelo Anthony is one of the hottest players in the league and should be able to overcome the solid Pacers defense to help the Knicks advance.

In the West, the Rockets' run will come to an end against the experienced Spurs. The veteran squad is too solid defensively to allow the lower seed to score at the pace it is used to, and the series should be one-sided.

However, the biggest matchup features the two most athletic teams in the league between the Thunder and Clippers. Los Angeles is finally healthy and the squad is extremely deep with plenty of scoring options. In a long series, the underdogs have the ability to pull off the upset.

Advancing Teams: Heat, Knicks; Spurs, Clippers

Conference Finals: Starts on May 22

Madison Square Garden will be electric for a Conference Finals matchup between the Heat and the Knicks. Unfortunately, Miami has shown the ability to turn on the switch at any moment and completely dominate its opponent.

If James forces Anthony to have some poor shooting days, this series will lean toward the top-seeded Heat.

The Spurs have also proven in past years that they have the ability to play much better once the postseason begins. If Manu Ginobili can return for the later rounds, they can be the same force that allowed them to have the best record in the conference for most of the regular season.

While the Clippers have plenty of talent, the lack of playoff experience will hurt in a matchup like this, and they will not be able to make it to the NBA finals.

Advancing Teams: Heat, Spurs

NBA Finals: Starts on June 6

Although fans might want to see some new teams competing in the NBA Finals, we are much more likely to get two squads that have been in this position before.

Tony Parker will make a huge impact in this series, as he is in the middle of one of the best years of his career. However, an individual matchup against Dwyane Wade would not really work out in his favor.

On the other end of the court, the Spurs have few answers for James, especially if he spends most of his time on the perimeter. 

The Heat won the title last year and are even better this time around. Unless something unlikely happens, they will be celebrating their second championship in June.

Predicted Winner: Heat

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